Modi dials Putin on his birthday; discussed the President's India visit for the annual summit

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday telephoned Russian President Vladimir Putin on his birthday and expressed his keenness to host him for the next edition of the annual summit as soon as public health situation improves.

“Prime Minister conveyed his warm greetings and best wishes to the Russian President on the occasion of his birthday,” according to a MEA statement issued after the phone call.

The Prime Minister recalled his long association and friendship with Putin, and appreciated the personal role that the latter has played in nurturing the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two nations, according to the statement. This comes close on the heels on the India and Russia celebrating Declaration of the 20th anniversary of strategic partnership on October 3.


“Both leaders agreed to remain in touch over the coming days, including on the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister expressed his keenness to welcome President Putin in India, as soon as possible after the normalisation of the public health situation,” according to the statement.

The two leaders have held several telephone conversations in 2020 including on the occasion of Modis birthday last month displaying their strong personal chemistry that has enabled the partnership to acquire new dimensions. Modi and Putin will have opportunity though virtually to be part of the SCO and BRICS Presidency hosted by Russia in November.

Incidentally the phone call happened a day after second Quad Ministerial meet in Tokyo reaffirming principle of strategic autonomy in Indian Foreign policy. The announcement of BRICS Summit under Russian Presidency on November 17 was made on the eve of Quad meet.

In the recent months Russia has been a political factor during the ongoing Sino-Indian crisis indulging in quiet backchannel diplomacy to defuse tensions. The Defence Minister visited Moscow twice notwithstanding pandemic and Moscow was the venue for the critical talks between the Foreign Ministers of India and China that has helped to build a level of confidence. Russia has also assured India to maintain critical defence supplies during emergency including new batches of fighter aircraft.